Badminton is a fun sport and a great form of exercise. To be a knockout badminton player, you have to have lightning-fast feet, strong technique, and a cunning sense of strategy.

Steps

1

Improve your speed. Speed is very important in badminton. Also, don't be so lazy to reach out your hand wide and try to return the shuttle.

2

Understand your opponent. When you're playing with a new opponent, whether it's at a competition or during a friendly game at a family outing, you should discover your opponent's weaknesses. You should look for some things like: aggressive or defensive, slow footwork, weak drop shot returns, etc.

3

Make your opponent move and run around the court to confuse and tire them. Don't hit all of your shots to the same location of the court or your opponent will be able to predict your next move every time.

4

Always plan your next move. A beginner is just happy when he hits the shuttle over the net. An advanced player understands that you should always position your shot wisely so that you move your opponent to the exact place where you want him to be so you can hit the following shot or smash him.

5

Make your opponent play your style of game. If you like staying near the net, serve short and hit drop shots, do whatever you can to make sure that your opponent can't hit the shuttle to the back line. If you're more comfortable at the back line, serve long and hit speedy long shots so your opponent doesn't have a chance to move you towards the net.

6

Practice your footwork. If you're flat-footed on the court, you won't be able to return their shots. Instead, stay on your toes and be prepared to return their shots. Try to predict their smashes and shot's by looking at their body language.

7

Change the direction of the shuttle. If your opponent hits the shuttle straight at you or to the net, hit the shuttle in a different direction instead of hitting it right back at your opponent, where he will expect it to go.

8

Don't allow yourself to become discouraged or complacent. If you're diffident, you may hold yourself back and lose the match. However, if you get too confident, you may underestimate your opponent's ability.

Community Q&A

Make sure you're not positioning your racket so it faces straight at the net; instead, tilt it slightly upward so the shuttle can go over the net. With enough practice, you will eventually be able to land your serve across the net.

How can I improve my backhand and place the shuttle perfectly with a backhand smash?

wikiHow Contributor

Do smashing exercises. The way you hold the racquet in a backhand position could greatly affect the game. Don't grip the racquet too firmly or too lightly, just the right amount of pressure. To execute a backhand smash perfectly, practice. Lunge, then hit.